Chapter 11 - The Boardroom
Marcus didn't just defend me in private.
The next day, he called a full board meeting.
Every executive, every major shareholder was there.
I was forced to sit next to him.
The tension in the room was suffocating.
A senior board member, Mr. Harrison, cleared his throat.
“Marcus, we need to address the PR nightmare. Your... personal choices are reflecting poorly on the stock.”
Marcus leaned forward.
He projected a massive spreadsheet onto the screen.
“This is the European sector’s profit margin before Maya Vance took over.”
He clicked a button. The graph shot upward.
“This is it today. An eighty percent increase in six months.”
The room fell silent.
“Maya Vance found a critical leak in our supply chain that none of you noticed.”
He looked at Mr. Harrison.
“She also identified the internal espionage committed by the Cain family, saving this company from a hostile takeover.”
He stood up.
“She is not a PR nightmare. She is the best asset this company has. And if any of you disrespect her again, I will personally buy your shares and remove you from this building.”
You could hear a pin drop.
Mr. Harrison swallowed hard.
“Understood, Marcus.”
I sat there, stunned.
He hadn't defended me by calling me his girlfriend.
He defended me by validating my hard work.
He demanded their professional respect.
After the meeting, as we walked back to his office, I grabbed his hand.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
He squeezed my fingers.
“I only stated the facts, Maya.”
He paused at the door of his office.
“But tonight, I’d like to state something else.”
May you like
He smiled. That warm, secret smile just for me.
“Dress up tonight. We’re going out.”
